A new Slovenian series about students who "have their whole lives happen in one day"

The filming has begun for Štuk, a new Slovenian television series centered around students whose lives change dramatically within a single day. The project, directed by young filmmakers Katja Predan and Áron Horváth, started in Ljubljana last week and will continue through August with 23 shooting days spread across various locations in the city, primarily at the Jeglič Student Dormitory in Šentvid. The series explores the lives of six protagonists, Mia, Kantar, Mojca, Blaž, Petra, and Jasmina, who find themselves at a pivotal moment in their lives as they complete their studies and face uncertain futures. According to the synopsis, the story begins with a seemingly ordinary morning that transforms into a defining day for each character. The narrative promises to delve into the challenges and relationships faced by young people today, capturing both the humor and gravity of their experiences. The cast includes Živa Selan, Izidor Vogrinec, Petja Golec Horvat, Anuša Kodelja, Marko Rafolt, and Milica Krnjaja, who portray the six main characters living together in a student dormitory. Each episode is expected to highlight how one day can alter the course of someone's life, reflecting the unpredictability of youth. The production team behind Štuk emphasizes innovation and creativity in its approach. Áron Horváth, one of the directors, expressed his desire to create entertaining episodes that tell authentic stories about real people. He noted that while he wants the series to be playful, he feels a responsibility to ensure the content remains respectful and meaningful. Katja Predan echoed this sentiment, stating that sometimes a single day can completely transform someone’s life, reshaping them in ways they might not yet understand. The production company Rusaalka Films, led by producer Marko Kumer-Murč, highlights the importance of having a balanced creative team, noting that more women than men are involved in the authorship of the project. This diversity is considered valuable and essential for accurately portraying the experiences of the younger generation. Kumer-Murč explained that the idea for Štuk originated from his personal experiences during his time in a student dormitory in Rožni Dol, which he wanted to translate into the narrative of the series. Financial support for Štuk comes from the Slovenian Film Center, which expanded its public call for audiovisual works in 2022 to include feature-length series. This marks the first time such funding has been allocated for original Slovenian feature-length series, signaling a growing interest in supporting domestic television productions. Katja Predan, known to wider audiences for her role as Ester in the romantic comedy What About Esther? (2023), previously received the Zlatolaska Award at the AGRFT festival for her film Komaj nič. She also gained recognition for her short film Premalo vsega at the Pill Film Festival in Austria. Áron Horváth, on the other hand, has directed several short films, including Delčke (2020), which won the award for best short film at the Slovenian Film Festival in Portorož. His debut feature film, Lost Years, is currently in production. The production crew includes director of photography Veronika Francesca Štefančič, set designer Špela Jelovčan, costume designer Katarina Šavs, and make-up artist Tanita Seifert. Primož Ledinek serves as the head of cinematography, while Mojca Pernat is the film director. Together, they aim to bring the vision of Štuk to life, blending storytelling with visual artistry to capture the essence of youth and transformation.